Method of and machine for packing powder for spark plugs



July 13, 1948. H. B. MUNGER ET AL 2,445,035

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR PACKING POWDER FOR SPARK PLUGS Filed Jan. 20, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ass-i n5 Ill -22 as;- I a| 9| 9o/\\ J g J 2 \j INVENTORS v HOWARD a. MUNGER 55b 95 meow LAFFERTY ATTORNEYS H. B. MUNGER ETAL July 13, 1948. 2,445,035

I METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR PACKING POWDER FOR SPARK PLUGS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1944 INVENTORS HOWARD B. MUNGEE BY HA OLD LAFFEIZTY AITORNEYS July .13, 1948. MUNGER ET AL 2,445,035

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR PACKING POWDER FOR SPARK PLUGS Filed Jan. 20, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 PRESSURE SWITCH PRESSURE REGULATOR ELECTIZO MAGNETI C 5 VALVE r 74 o 1 no bi r 11.". 76 m OEIFICE QELAY PRESSURE 97 SWITCH r w CONTACTOR /z SEC.CYCLE v BY HAEQLD LAFFERT 67 AITZRNEYS Patented July 13, 1948 Howard Brandeberry Munger and Harold Yost Laflerty, Fostoria, Ohio Application January 20, 1944* Serial No. 519,010

(oils- 1) This invention relates to spark plugspmore particularly to a method of, and a machine for,- p'ositioning compacted powder in aspark'plug insulator core for sealing a'centerelectrode in the bore thereof. 5

"When compactible powders, such as"talc, are used'to seal acenter electrode in the bore of an insulator of a spark plug, a production problem arises in positioning the compactible powderin a narrow annular'space'between the electrode and the insulator due to the fact that considerable iorce is necessary to'compact the powder sufficiently in the narrowannual space to result in a self 'sustaining sealing body. It is a characteristic'of compactible powden'particularlyof talc; that it must'be compacted in position in theriar-* row annular space in shallow layers, otherwise the compacting iorce 'usually applied by a reciprocating ramj'will not be distributed "'evenly through the body of the loose ';powder and a bridging results whereby the upper portion of the layer of loose powder is firmly packed together while the powder below 'this'layer will "not have the compacting force applied to it; allowing itto remain loose and substantially uncom pactedso that functionally it will not serve the' purpose of sealing the electrode in the insulator. It has already been suggested thatthis problem may be solved by changing the characteristics of the-powder to improve its flowing qualitiesso that'the bridging-of the'powder will beobviated to allow 'the'powder to be compacted in relatively thick layers. A self-sustaining sealing body of compacted powder may be compacted into position between-the electrode and the bore of thein sulator under these circumstances in'three sep: 1

exam relatively'thick'layers. I I

The present invention contemplates the provision of a method of positioning compactible powder to forma holding and sealing body be tween-a center electrode andthe bore of an 'insulatorwherein the 'powder is carried into the nar: row ann'ular space in relatively smallincrements which are readily compacted without bridgingf i This invention further contemplates the provision of a=machine which conveniently carries out" the method delineated above which is cheap and I makes possible very uniform results whenused in amass production line for producing spark plugs in large quantities.

By the present method, as carried-outlay themachine disclosed herein, thepowder iscompacted in position in as small a'layer'as may zbe foun'drpracticable. For example, it is possible by the usecf this'method and machine to position" a 6 Claims;

sealing body of compacted powder in thenarrow annular'spac'e' between the electrode and insulator' of a spark plug" in approximately 20 small layers which may be controlled to suit the condi* t ions'under which the compacting occurs and taking into consideration the uniformity of the results obtained.

This invention contemplates inverting 'the spark plug insulator andele'ctrode over a loose layer of the'compactible powder; and'holdin'g in such position by a suitable means adjacent to a verticallyreciprocating ram which is adapted to moveinto and outof'the narrow annular space between the center electrodeand the insulator while moving with each reciprocation the loose layer of compactible' powder. of the ram is'providedwith a' flat horizontal surface which, upon passing through the'loose layer of compactible powder, has heaped upon it'a small increment of the loose powder which is then carriedby'the ram during-its upward movement into the narrow annular space trode and. the insulatonbore-to be compacted against the floor of the narrow annual space.

Thereafter the ramcontinues to reciprocate in timed relation under control of an automatic actuating means. i

In each reciprocation the rampasses through the layer of loose powder to'pick up a new increment of the compactible powder compacted into position to form a self-sustaining body, sealing the electrode in the insulator bore. Automatic control means are provided to give'a timed relation between the holding and-guiding;

devices which secure the electrode and insulator in position with reference to the ram and to control the reciprocation of the ram until a predeter mined" amount of powder has been compacted in position, whereupon anelectric control stops the reciprocation and allows the operator to remove the packed spark plug insulator iromthe machine by actuatinga-manual over-control and thereafter to insert 'a new insulator and electrode in position in the machine to begin a new cycle by again actuating the manual over-controL.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a method of compacting a selfsustaining holding and sealing body in position in a narrow annual space formed between a center electrodeand the bore of an insulator by carrying loose compactible material into the narrowv annual space by the member which compacts the material in position to formthe I holding and sealingzbody. j t

through The face between the elecwhich is carried upwardly into the narrow annular space and 3 It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which will conveniently carry this method into practice and which is cheap, durable and capable of sufficient production to justify its use in a production line by giving uniformly good results at relatively high speed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machinev adapted to compacva body: of powder into a self-sustaining holdin and sealing body in the narrow annular space between the center electrode and the bore of a spark plug in position during the compacting period, as will which is substantially automatic in operation once a cycle has commencedand carries: through L;

the compacting of the self-sustaining body through to completion at one'statiomin'a tionline.

produc- It is a further object of this invention. taprovide a method of and a machine for compacting a self-sustaining holding and sealing bodyiin-position in a narrow annual space formed between a. center electrode and the. bore ofanhinsulatorwhereby loose :com-pactible material is: carriedinto the narrow annular space in-sma1l-.-increments= by; the. member which compacts the material in" position; to formxthe holding and sealingrbody, all;

at-on'estation-in a production-line.-

Other objects and advantages ofithis invention relating.to.-therarrangement; operation and function of rthe-a related. elements of: the structure; to variouszdetails of. construction, to.-.co-mbinationsof parts; and'ito economies :of manufacture, Will-be apparent to those skilled in-theart upon consider.- ation of the following description and appended claims; reference being; hadzto-theaccompanying; drawings forming. a: part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate cor= respondingrparts' in the several i-views;

Fig; 1: is, across-sectionabelevation of a: spark:-

plug-Iinsulator withthe center electrode inposition therein". m 1

' Fig; 2 is avsectional' elevation-of the samezinsulator; similar to-Fig; 1, just after'the powderrpacking' operation isreompl'eted;

Fig: 3* is'an' elevationypart-ly inrsection; of amachine incorporating. the: method of 1 packing" powder.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional; elevation-r of a" machineportion: adjacentzthe-lowei end of the sparkrpluginsulator. I r

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional-elevation: of the same machine-portiomshown in; Fig; 4; showing the actiorrof theicompacting member;

Fig. fir-is"a'perspectivewiewof the machine-fin cluding a schematic diagranrof amautomatic controlmeans: I

Fig. '7 is: ane enlarged" perspectiverviewof a portion of :the control \means; I 7

Referring to the-drawings, particularly to'-Flg.

1," anrinsulator. In is.shownrhavinganrinternal longitudinal boreI tin-whichis positioned awcylindricali center-wi-re" I2, a portion I3 of-whieh-pro- .iects fromxthelower I end of the'bore :t-or form the firingatipwof the electrode. Atrthe opposite end of the insulator, distal .from theend from which pro--- jects. the firing: tip I3, .ashoulder I4. is provided.

on the center electrode against which: is compactediaibody l5 -of'compactible powder; such as talc'or "the:like;'into a narrow annular space IS-= formed: between the bore I I of theinsu'lator and a reduced portion II-of the electrode, the-shoulder I4' providing a floor for the annular-space:

As shown in Fig; 2, the powder iscompacted: into" a==-self-sustainingbody tosealthe center? electrode -I-2 in therbore- II 10f theinsulat-or byr-the: positioning of the sealing body l5 in theannular:

be described hereinafter, and also provides a convenientmet-hod'for holding a terminal piece 2| (Fig. 1) in position upon completion of the insulator assembly; The/terminal piece 2| is provided with a downwardly-extending flange 22 which extends.intogtheannular space I6, having positioned around it a resilient washer 23 of asbestos after wliich the aperture 20 is peened as at 20a to hold the terminal piecefiZI permanently in positionl--ontheinsulator;- Y'Ihe insulator assembly shown in Fig- 2 "illustrates the; condition 2' of:- the;

insulator: immediately after the packing operation.

is completed. and before the terminal piecellris. positioned thereon. The insulator-assemblmas shown-pinaFig. 1', is complete. and maybe positioned directly. into the shell;-(not shown) ofa spark plugfor, the final 'assembly thereof.

Referring-now to Fig.- 3, the. insulatorshown. in: Fig. 2 .firsthaving the center wire I 2* cementedinposition described above, is positioned between? a fixed guiding means. orspindle member which: isanch-ored to abridgemembe-r 3 I at its lowerxend. by having an enlarged v portion =32 fittedv into;=a-- socket'r ai-thereinr The bridge member 3 I. isiposie; tioned across; a pair of I buttresses 34 forming; a:

partof. a-.fra-me member 35: having abase'35ai Theupperendof the guide member-.iill -is provided with. an upwardly. extending; nib 36-w hichis adapted to"-fit .intothe aperture I 20 of the center: The end of the electrode I 2- rests= against ashoulder 31: on the guide member so as to support it in a'fixed. spatial relation with referencettorthe frame member .35 adjacent-an out"; wardlyvextending ledge member-which supports electrode I 2 a-funne-l member 39; whose "function will be. de-

scribed; hereinaften. 7

Thededge member 38 is provided with an aperi ture 4mm which the funnel'member 3 9 is: positioned, holding it -in fixed relationawith reference to the frame member 35.'concentri.c;with:the guidemember 30. Adjacent-the. upper side of theledg-e member-:3B;,a bridge M is provided to cross-the aperture 40,1the;bridge having, an aperture 42 adv jacentiits centralilocation also in concentric relation-withathe; axis of the guide member: 30. thimble 43 is positionedinihe-aperturevfl-andr-isr.

adapted sci-extend downwardlygfrom the bridge"! I to cooperate with the upperend' of theguidemem+ ber; 30-?by' means of. an aperture 44. positioned inrthe-bottom of. the thimble, whichtis preferably relatively thick; The thimble bottomembraces; the nib '36 positioned on the-terminus. ofthe guide" member 30 theaperture beingin concentric rem-- tion therewith. The inside diameter of the thimble 43, at its-upper end, is sufllciently largeto snugly-r embrace-an enlarged portion Iflaof the-insulator" while-theinside dimension of the thimble adjacent'iits floor above the-aperture-M is of such-:aa dimension to snugly embrace the terminal end of the-insulator= as. contraedistinguished' from the trode-projects." The-insulator Ill'and electrode IZ-L as assembledias shown in Fig. 2. with the'cement? I8 inzeither wet'tor'zdrycondition;are droppedlintor' the thimble .43 so that center electrode is in cooperative relation with the terminal end of the insulator posinib 3a with the tioned adjacent the floor of the thimble and the enlarged portion Illa of the insulator snugly positionedin the upper end of the thimble... I

A holdingv means 50 is then lowered to cooperate with the firing tip |3 of the center electrode to urge the electrode downwardly into cooperative fixed relation with the guiding means. The holding means 50 is inthe-nature of a threaded sleeve, having a centralbore 5| which terminates at its lower end in a bell-shaped flaring portion 52 to cooperate with the firing tip I |-3 of the center electrode wherebythe firing tip is centered with relation to the central bore 5|. The firing tip l3 projects a predetermined distance into the central bore 5l to cooperate with the lower terminus. 53 of a rivet 54. whose head 55 cooperates with the floor 58 pfaa threadedcounterbore 51. I The floor'58 is iormedbetween the central bore 5|, which is relatively small in diameter, being approximatelythe same diameter as the center wire l2, and the threaded counter bore51, which is of relatively larger diameter;

being approximately the same as the-diameter of the head 55 of the rivet 54.5

.A threaded plug the head55 to hold it in fixed relation w'ith ref erence to the central bore 5|. The plug 58 is provided on its uppersurface with a milled aper- The reciprocating member 8 is journaled in a 84 fitted into an aperture 850i an out-I ea n wardlyextending portion 68 Of the frame member 35. The 1 upper end member is provided, above'the frame portion 86,. with a bifurcated portion G'Lhaving apair. of ears 61a and 61b (Fig. 6). between which a lever 88 is fitted and pinned thereto by means of a pintle 89. The lever 88 is pivoted about .a pin {Ill ad-p jacent its central location, the pinlll being fitted the end aperture of the;

5s fits into the threaded counterbore 51. to abutagainst the upper. surface-of .of the reciprocating 240 the lower face ,63 of. the

into an .upwardly projecting portion of the frame.

to, the piston. rod being actuated by a piston 13.

moving in a double-ended cylinder. .14 as is shown schematically in Fig.3. The ends of the cylinder H, which may be convenientlyattached to frame ledge 66a on the rear side of frame (Fig. 6), in which fluid pressure may act against the opposite sides of the piston'l3 to reciprocate the piston, are in communication with a source of. fluid pressure by means of pipes 15 and 18. When: I the upper sideof the piston 13 by beingintroduced by pipe 15, the pisfluid pressure is applied to ton 13 moves downwardlyso as tohaveholding means move from its cooperative relation with v the firing tip l3 of the spark plug electrode. In the samemanner, whenfluid pressure is introduced in the cylinder 14 on'the lower side of piston '|3 by meansof pipe 16, the piston 13 is, moved upwardly to move the holding means 5il.

,The distal end of the lever 88 cooperates with the piston rod 12 by being pinned thereinto cooperative relation with the firing tip l3 of a sparkplug insulator assembly .whichis pQ-.

sitioned in the thlmble 83. The fluid pressure is under manual control by, an operator in. con-' junction with an automatic device as will be set forth in detail hereinafter. v

The construction already described disclosesa means whereby an insulator assembly of a spark plug may be tothe guide means 30 and the funnel means 33.

The object to be accomplishedby the present device is to provide a construction which may be used to carry intoeffect a method of compacting powdered material which is capable of being compacted into a holding and sealing body, such astalc, between a center wire and the bore of an insulator, a narrow annular space being provided between the parts. By referring to Fig. 3

of the drawings, it is clear that the insulator assemblyis held in a position so that the narrow annular space [6 positioned between the center electrode andthe bore of the insulator opens downwardly adjacent the aperture 44 of the thimble 43. The aperture is in concentricrelation, with the guide means 3|! which projects into the aperture from the lower side of the thimble. and cooperates with the aperture 20 formed in the lower end (terminal end) of the center. electrode as shown in Fig. 2.

The. funnel 39 formsv a convenient container for compactible material such as talc 80, which is 1 conveniently dropped therein from the upper open end of the funnel 39. The tale is conven-,

iently agitated manually by downward extending fingers 8| whichv are attached to a rin 82 having a. diametersubstantially the same as the upper end of the funnel. The ring82 rests on the top f side'of the irame member 38 and is provided with an upwardly extending flaring flange 83 to aid, an operatorto position talc into the funnel 33. The fingers 8| extend to substantially the bottom of the 'funnel'39 adjacent the upper end of the guide means 38 and maintain the powder'in loose condition so as tobe readily moved into positionby' a means which will be described hereinafter."

The funnel 39 is provided at its lower end with a tubular portion 38a in which is positioned a journal means through a central aperture 85. of which is reciprocated a ram member 88 which,

is positioned'concentrically "with and moves 1ongitudin'ally along the guide'means 30. The ram is in the nature of a tube fitting closely about the guide means. 3.0 and having a flat upper surface8'l as isbest illustrated in Fig. 4. The lower portion ofthe ram is providedwith an enlarged portion 88 which is fixed into a shouldered aperv ture. 830i a stirrup '80 which embraces thebridge "member 3| and moves between the frame members 34 as is most clearly shownin Fig. 6. The

aperture 89 is provided with jasmaller counterw bore 9| to form a. shoulder 92' against which rests Q the enlarged portion 88 of the ram. The guide means 38 is adapted to projectthrough'counterbore 3| into. the hollow portion of the tubular ram as has already beenfdescribed. The bridging member 98a of the stirrup 98 cooperates on I its lowerisid' with the top surface of the bridge 3| to determine the lowest'point of the stroke or preferably 'so devised that the the ram and;

upper surfacei8l of the'lram is approximately flush with the upper surfaceof the journal'nieans 84 through which the ram reciprocates.

' 11 order to reciprocate the stirrup 90, and the ram 88 fixedly attached thereto, the stirrup is .fixed to a piston rod 93 by means of a pin 34' positioned in aligning apertures. in both mem bers. The piston rod 93 is adapted to be moved held in fixed relation with reference I aerate-e:

b y a piston 95 which recipr'o cates'in a 'doubl 'en ed" cylinder? as is; shown schematically in y-Fil. 3. The cylinder-"96' is" conveniently iattachedto':

frame member a in any .mannerwellkhown in theart,"the piston'actuating the 'rod- 93-through aperture 351)} in the frame 'member 35211 The Pretend o eli ders; is providedflwith a pipe 9'lwhich is'in communication with'a con? trolled source 'of fluid pressure to move theram downwardly "out of the narrow annular space formed between thebore of the 'ins ulator and the center'wire until the lower surface of the bridge member 9ll'ajcontacts the'upper surface of'the' bri dg e" member 31 which" determinesthe lowest point"'offthefdownward stroke. The lower por tion of the-piston S'eis provided witha pipe 98;"

fiatxuppf ra d-e thereof mo es-- through the layer of "loose icoinpactible "material 'positiont-id in *th" funnel 39 by the operator dumping'the'compacti ble powder into'theopen end thereof, being" aided 87 of the ram 86'n1oves through .theloosepowdr; a "small quantityQ thereof is heapedon the upper face' 'as-"is clearlyshown in Fig; 4, -which-* remains on the upper' face of the' ram andis whiclr'is also in communication with the same sourceof controlled fluid pressurebeing adapted to-ahoiv'the'fluid 'pressure' to act against the lowergsid'e of the piston 95 to move the saddle operativerelation with assemblyto carry the powderinto the narrow'an ther in-as will. be described in further detail hereinafter." p

Referring particularly tdFigu'resBj and 5' of" the-drawings; an insulator I0 with a'center electrode" I2 cemented in position in the 'bore thereof, is placed in position in the thimble 43" with the smalhlongitudinlalbore 20' in theend" of the center "electrode" l2 embracing the nib 36 member- 99f and the ram 86 upwardly into '00- the spark plug insulator on the end of guide means'liiflsothat the endof the electrode'isabutted against'theshoulder 31;

An operator then actuates'a manuallyecontrfolled valvemeansfwhich places the pipelfi ofthe'" cylinderH in communicationfwith asourde of fluid pressureythepisto'n 1310f cylinder 14 having in the"meantime' been moved to'its"lowestjposition by placing" the pipe 15 in communication with; the

source of fluid pressurejto raise thehol-ding means to its uppermost position. The fluid plfessure entering thepipe 16 will move the piston 13' up'" Wa'idly' in the cylinder 14 to move the holding means 50 downwardly by actuating the lever, 68

aboutthe' pivot '70 to'en'gage the holding means? withithe firing tip l3 of, the insulator ele'ctr-ode assembly'npreviouslj placed in positionin the) thiinblel3 by an operator? the fixed guide means 30 withits terminal end,

with the opposite or firing end of the electrode cooperating with the holding means 50 and the end face of the terminahfiring mp1s abutting against the terminus, 53- ofthe rivet 54.

p 7 By this action an operatorhas placed a center electrode with its, insulator-in a fixed predetermined position upon A cycle' of packingcperations. may now be startediand theoperator, by means of a manual controljfinitiate's the'cycle'by placing an auto maticcontrol means, as disclosed in Fig. 6, inl o control ofthefiow ofjfiuid pressure to pipes 97 and 98to cylinder 96 whereby'piston 95'is moved upwardly and downwardly in; a timed relation as is determined by a contactor oper'ating on' pref erably 'a one-half second cycle to control an electromagnetic valve which'directs the-fluid pressure l to pipes 9'! and 98 alternately to move the ram upwardly and downwardly as the piston responds to thefluid pressure on either side. The move: ment of the piston 915'istrans-mitted to piston rod 83, thenceto stirrup through the action of pintle 94 and then to the r ms-s which reciprocates vertically about the guide means '30 whichfis' positioned within the tubular" portion of the ram. As the ram8 6' moves"upwardly, the

car'ried'into thena'rrow' annular space 'li'form'e'd between fthe' attenuated portion I! of the centerelect'rode l2 and the bore l l of the insulator and is carried upwardly to be compacted against the asbestos washer "l9 whichissupported by' the" shoulder 14' 0f""the center electrode. The 'forcei 5 0f the; contactor, to move the piston 95 down wardly and to simultaneously I'no've th e 'ramf 8G downwardly to its initiarpositioni Anew stroke is then inaugurated" by" the contactorf andffthe electroir'iagnetic valve by placing the 'pipe "98 in communication withthe sourceof fluid pressure toa'gain move the ram 86 through the layer" of loose powder so that'a econd-sman increment of powder-is positio'nedpn the" upperflfa'ce 81 v thereOfWhlCh is carried thereby intothenarrow" 35' annul'arspace, being compacted againstthe first? increment which has already been carriedand compacted into position. 'I'his" reciprocation is continued until a predetermined amount ofcom pactible material'has been carried into the annu-= lar'space to'form the holding'andseahng body between the center electrode" and the bore or the insulator. Preferably the packing cycle is stopped before" theconi'pacted material "I 5 completely'fills the narrow annular space; as is"clearly shown in- Figr'ZQso that the-flange 22 of the terminalif may extend into. the'annular space as"shown in" Fig.1.] 7 l I Inasmuch astalc and othercomp-actable pow-"f ders 'have a tendency to flow-less readily than desirable, the operator must agitate the powder adjacent the'lower end of the funnel"byfingers 8 lto'maintain a constant supply of loose powder available to be picked up by the upper face BT01 p the ram tobe carriedinto the annular'space and placed in finalposition in the holding and sealf" ing body'forrned in the annular'space.

Itis convenient to' incorporate a .pl otoel'e ctric' cell relay I00 in 'combination with the automatic; controlmeans which cooperates with a light beamlll'lj coming from a light source 102, and a 'slot' I03 formed in an opaque shield I04 in 'combina-" tion with 'an'opaque projection J05 attached to the stirrup 9'9, 'allas is clearly" shown in Fig'; '7. As the stirrup is moved downwardly by'an' in crease in volume ofthe COIIIPaCtBdQDOWdBY l5; positioned in the narrow annular space 16, the

projection I05 will cause'a shadow to fall on not l03to actuate the photoelectricrelay' to stop lthe cycle of reciprocation, indicating to an operator 6- that a predetermined amount of powder has beencompacted in position and'tha't the packing-cycle has been completed to allowremovaloi the in sulator and its electrode from the machine. The

operator, then a'ctuate's"theioot pedal; sheila blyffromththiirible 43.1

by means ingto cirllhdehfilftd move the-pi ton "I3 downof the insulator assemw lf n i 6, an o'rific'e'is preferably positioned in; pipe I6 to wardly to allow removal increase the time required "for the piston 13 to i circuits seas tooperate in a proper timed'relation and for purposesof safety;

"Referring to Fig.3,acatching device 110' is shown positioned on the'upper end of-s'tirrup lill of a collar III fitted about ab'Qss'I'IZ. 'A'setscrew -I I3 is provided to extend through an aperture I14, formed in the collar III, and also to extend through an aperture II5 positioned' in the boss II2 so that boththe catching device III) and the ram 88 are firmly held in position with the same set screw. The catching device I I0 is in the nature of a cup-shaped-devi'ce having "an inwardly-turned flange H6 to catch loose powder falling from the aperture 85 during reciprocation of the ram 86. A flexible hose I I1 is connected to the catching device III] and is placed in com- ,munication with a source of vacuum to draw the loose powder from the catching device IIIl so as to prevent the powder from being thrown into the air in the vicinity of the machine. It is clear that the catching device I I0 moves upwardly and downwardly in conjunction with the stirrup 90 and the ram member 86.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the present invention is intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention is not to be construed as limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used in the specification relating to the operation and function of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims beyond the requirement of the prior art,

What is claimed:

1. The method of positioning granular compactible material into a holding and sealing body between a pair of members having a narrow annular space therebetween, comprising reciprocat-- ing a ram through a loose layer of the granular material, holding the members in predetermined relation adjacent the ram with the annular space opening downwardly to allow the ram to move upwardly into said annular space, carrying granular material into the annular space by a transverse horizontal face on the ram by moving said ram through the layer of loose granular material and into said space with sufiicient force to compact the granular material in said space whereby the granular material is retained in position in the annular space between the members.

2. The method of positioning granular compactible material in holding and sealing relation between a pair of members having a narrow annular space therebetween, said annular space being provided with a floor, comprising reciprocating a ram in a vertical direction through a loose layer of the granular material, holding th membets in predetermined position within the range the-ram jupon which the granularmaterial is heaped un der the influence of ravity when moving" through the layer of flo'es'e granularymaterial,

and compacting the granular material against the flo'or of the annular space by'freciprocating the ram upwardly into the annular space.

- The method of positioning" granular-com"- 'pactible' material in holding andsealing relation between a pairof' members having a narrow anrlulax space therebetween, said annular space'bein'gfprovided with a floor, comprising moving a compacting member relative to said 'pair'bf members in a vertical direction through a loose layer of the granular material, holding the members in predetermined position with the narrow annular space-opening downwardly, carrying a s'eries of charges offgranularj material into; the annular "space by a' 'transVerse 'face'onthe compacting member, and compacting the granular materail against the floor of the annular space by the relative movement between the compacting member and the pair of members.

4. In a machine of the class described, a first holding means for cooperating with an insulator of a spark plug, funnel-like means surrounding the said first holding means having a floor in spaced relation with said holding means, a centering spindle projecting through an aperture in the floor of said funnel-like means to cooperate with the lower end of'an electrode mounted in said insulator, tubular ram means adapted to reciprocate on said spindle moving through said aperture in the floor to cooperate with the electrode and insulator adjacent the first holding means, a second holding means longitudinally movable along the axis of the first holding means to cooperate with the other end of the electrode to hold the electrode in cooperative relation with the first holding means, means to move the second holding means into and from cooperativ relation with the electrode, and means to reciprocate the ram to and from cooperative relation with the electrode and insulator.

5. In a machine of the class described, a first holding means for cooperating with an insulator of a spark plug, funnel-like means surrounding the said first holding means having a floor in spaced relation with said holding means, said funnel means being adapted to contain compactible powder, a centering spindle projecting through an aperture in the floor of said funnellike means to cooperate with the lower end of an electrode mounted in said insulator, tubular ram means adapted to reciprocate on said spindle moving through said aperture in the floor to cooperate with the electrode and insulator adjacent the first holding means, a second holding means longitudinally movable along the axis of the spindle to cooperate with the other end of the'electrode to hold the electrode in cooperative relation with the spindle, means to move the second holding means into and from cooperative relation with the electrode, and means to reciprocate the ram through the compactible powder into cooperative relation with the electrode and insulator whereby the ram carries small increments of powder into position between the electrode and insulator and compacting the same to form a holding and sealing body.

ens-5 035 nel means being adapted-to contain compactible powder, means cooperating with the funnel means to agitate said powder in saidiun-neLlike means, a'centering spindle projecting through an aperture in the floor of said funnel-like meansto cooperate with the lower end of an electrode mounted in said insulator, tubular ram means adapted to reciprocate on said spindle moving through said aperture-in the floor tocooperate withthe electrode and insulator adjacent the first holdingn eans, a second holding means longitudinally =movahle :along theaxis of the .spindle to" cooperate with the other end-of the electrode to hold 'the electrode in cooperative relation with the spindle, rneans'to rnove the second holding means intoand from cooperative relation with the electrode,--and means to reciprocate the ram ,through the compactible powder into cooperative relation with the electrode-andinsulator whereby the ram carriessrnall increments ofpowderintoposition between the electrodeand insulator and compacting thesameto form a holdingand' sealing-body.

QW R 'B AN EB RY r HAROLD YOST IIAFF'ERTY.

REFERENCES CITED U -The following references are of "record in'the l0 file *of this patent:

UNITED-STATES PATENTS Number Name, -'Date 1,526,788 Hoffman a- -Feb. 17,1925 1,689,584 Grupe Oct. 30, 1928 15 1,897,612 Helfrecht Feb, 14, 1933 2,003,465 'Rabezzana June 4,- 1935 2,122,874 Whipple July 5,1938 2,190,859; Binder Feb.-20,-1940 2,336,193 Schrader Dec. 7,1943

.20 42,357,407 \Kur-tz, Sept. 5;194

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 478,411 Great Britain Aug; 6,1936 

